I agree with Adam Trimingham (Argus, October 5) that the annual party conferences are an occasion for yawning. But he fails to mention one new addition this year to the usual self-adulation and image-control: The appearance of an overseas celebrity to administer the final hyperbolic endorsement.

I have every respect for Nelson Mandela, one of the few truly great human beings alive and some of his remarks about the dangers of globalisation were well made. But his claims that Labour delegates were "worthy candidates for immortality" and "their memories will live forever" will have sounded far-fetched to most people who, unlike him, actually have to live under this government.

Next year, apparently, Bill Clinton is likely to be the super-celebrity invited to trowel the treacle.

-Graham Chainey, Marine Parade, Brighton